Osage Hills State Park

Osage Hills State Park
A photo of a Sand Creek in Osage Hills State Park
Sand Creek in Osage Hills State Park
A map of Oklahoma showing the location of Osage Hills State Park
Location Osage County, Oklahoma, United States
Nearest city Bartlesville, OK
Coordinates 36°44′30″N 96°10′47″W / 36.7417414°N 96.1797177°W / 36.7417414; -96.1797177Coordinates: 36°44′30″N 96°10′47″W / 36.7417414°N 96.1797177°W / 36.7417414; -96.1797177[1]
Area 1,100 acres (450 ha)
Established 1935
Governing body Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department
www.travelok.com/listings/view.profile/id.5595

Osage Hills State Park is a 1,100-acre (4.5 km2) Oklahoma state park It is located in eastern Osage County, Oklahoma. The nearest cities are Pawhuska and Bartlesville. The park offers outdoor recreation opportunities including camping, hiking, fishing and wildlife watching. Park facilities include picnic tables and shelters, 20 semi-modern RV campsites, 16 tent sites and 8 cabins. Several of the park's structures are historic parkitecture built by the Civilian Conservation Corps during the 1930s and 1940s.

History

Osage Hills State Park is one of the seven original parks constructed for the State of Oklahoma by members of the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). Construction began in 1935. The CCC workers were housed at the north end of the park. The remnants of the housing area still visible include concrete and rock foundations, an amphitheater and a lone chimney. The workers built structures using stone and timber that were obtained locally. Their design was based on “naturalistic architecture,” similar to that used in other parks built by the U. S. Government during the 1930s and 40s. Eight guest cabins are still used today. Although their appearance is the same as when they were built, they have all been modernized with energy-saving appliances and air conditioning.[2]

The park also has a large picnic shelter that is suitable for use by large groups. It has a kitchen, a large dining area, and two stone fireplaces on opposite sides of the building.[2]

Recreation

Abundant fishing for bass, crappie, catfish, and perch can be found in Lookout Lake, or in Sand Creek at the south end of the park. Miles of hiking trails cross the park offering opportunities for beginning hikers or more challenging paths. Wildlife is abundant in the park and includes whitetail deer, wild turkey, bobcat, raccoon, and more.[3]

Other facilities include hiking trails and a swimming pool. There are also tent campgrounds and recreational vehicle (RV) parking areas.[2]

Proposed park closure in 2018

In March 2017, the Oklahoma Department of Tourism and Recreation published a list of 16 state parks that may be closed to help offset a reduction in its budget for 2018. Osage Hills State Park is on this list. This list represents approximately one-half of the parks remaining after the department closed seven parks in 2011.[4]

References

  1. ↑ "Osage Hills State Park". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey. Retrieved January 6, 2013.
  2. 1 2 3 "Oklahoma's Osage Hills State Park welcomes tourists." Clark, Kelli. NewsOK. August 5, 2012. Retrieved February 16, 2014.
  3. ↑ "Osage Hills State Park". Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department. Retrieved January 6, 2013.
  4. ↑ Fultenberg, Lorne. "Half of Oklahoma state parks could close with budget cuts." KFOR News. March 13, 2017. Accessed November 1, 2017.
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